378 MR. W. V. LEGGE ON THE BIRDS OF CEYLON. [May 4, 
The number of eggs was either two or three, the latter being the 
prevailing figure ; they were not arranged, as those of Grallatores, 
point to point, and, when in twos, were neatly placed side by side. 
The eggs I procured divide themselves into four distinct types :— 
1. Ovals somewhat pointed at the smaller end, but not obtuse 
enough at the major end to be pyriform, of a pale olive-green ground- 
colour, uniformly blotched, the markings as a rule running diagonally 
across the surface, with one or two shades of umber and dark purple- 
brown over spottings of bluish grey. 
Dimensions—axis ranging between 1°43 and 1°38 inch; dia- 
meter between *92 and °94 respectively, the shortest egg being the 
stoutest. 
2. Pointed ovals, of a stone-grey or yellowish grey ground-colour, 
marked with the usual blotches of faded blue or bluish grey, and 
blotched throughout with sepia and reddish brown, for the most part 
in small markings, but in large spots at the major end in some. In 
one or two there are small dottings of dark sepia and a few dark 
streaks of the same. 
Dimensions—axis ranging from 1°38 to 1°23 inch, diameter from 
98 to *92. 
3. Short stumpy ovals, of a yellowish grey ground, faintly blotched 
or clouded with faded bluish grey, and marked sparingly over this 
with dull umber-brown or rich sepia, confluent somewhat round the 
centre in some. 
Dimensions—axis ranging between 1°36 and 1°18 inch, diameter 
between °99 and °97. 
4. Pointed ovals, ofa greenish grey, whitish, or stone-yellow ground, 
handsomely marked with bold blotches of rich sepia, mostly round 
the obtuse end, and over large spots of faded bluish grey. 
The ground-colour varied in this type more than in the others. 
Dimensions—axis ranging between 1°37 and 1°28 inch, diameter: 
between 1°0 and -96. 
On our interfering with the nests some of the birds showed great 
courage and alarm, swooping close to our heads with loud screams ; 
and from this I am able to identify * both varieties 1 and 2 as be- 
longing to the larger bird with the one black primary. 
We found nests in different localities and in a variety of situations. 
In some the ground was stony in places; and here we found the 
young nestlings, able to run, most cleverly “ planted’ between red- 
dish stones, they themselves so closely assimilating in colour that 
we could scarcely recognize them. 
The chick when first hatched has the bill fleshy with a dusky 
tip, and the legs and feet fleshy red ; the prevailing hue of the upper 
surface is rufous white, with three dark stripes over the vertex, and 
with the back striped and mottled with black. At about a week 
old, the rufous white turns to a sort of isabelline grey ; and this again 
becomes tawny yellowish in the nestling flying well. At this stage 
* With regard to variety 4, I will leaye Mr. Howard Saunders to make his 
remarks thereupon ; I am forwarding this paper to him in order that he may, if 
he wishes, append notes of his own. 
